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Science 6 October 2006:
Vol. 314. no. 5796, pp. 133 - 136
DOI: 10.1126/science.1132661
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Reports

Infectious Prions in the Saliva and Blood of Deer with Chronic Wasting Disease

Candace K. Mathiason,1 Jenny G. Powers,3 Sallie J. Dahmes,4 David A. Osborn,5 Karl V. Miller,5 Robert J. Warren,5 Gary L. Mason,1 Sheila A. Hays,1 Jeanette Hayes-Klug,1 Davis M. Seelig,1 Margaret A. Wild,3 Lisa L. Wolfe,6 Terry R. Spraker,1,2 Michael W. Miller,6 Christina J. Sigurdson,1 Glenn C. Telling,7 Edward A. Hoover1*

A critical concern in the transmission of prion diseases, including chronic wasting disease (CWD) of cervids, is the potential presence of prions in body fluids. To address this issue directly, we exposed cohorts of CWD-naïve deer to saliva, blood, or urine and feces from CWD-positive deer. We found infectious prions capable of transmitting CWD in saliva (by the oral route) and in blood (by transfusion). The results help to explain the facile transmission of CWD among cervids and prompt caution concerning contact with body fluids in prion infections.

1 Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences (CVMBS), Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
2 Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences (CVMBS), Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
3 Biological Resource Management Division, National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO 80525, USA.
4 Wildlife Artist Supply Company (WASCO) Inc., Monroe, GA 30655, USA.
5 Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30609, USA.
6 Wildlife Research Center, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA.
7 Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: edward.hoover{at}colostate.edu

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